Winnipeg police change online crime-reporting processes during coronavirus pandemic

Winnipeg police are changing some of their crime-reporting processes during the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The force announced Wednesday that it’s upping the accepted value of all online reporting categories from $5,000 to $25,000 during the pandemic.

That means that anyone reporting non-domestic theft, mischief or damage under $25,000 — as long as the crimes are not in progress — should do so by phone at 204-986-8666.

Phone reports can be made Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding holidays.

Police are also encouraging Winnipeggers to use their online reporting tool.

Online reporting categories include thefts, damages, frauds, hit-and-runs and retail thefts.

Police say their Virtual Police Response (VPR) system will now also accept reports of non-domestic assault and robberies that are not in progress where the suspect is unknown.

The VPR system was started as a pilot in the summer and was originally set up to allow Winnipeggers to report break-and-enters through a video chat system with a police officer.

The pilot was extended in the fall after police reported a reduction in wait times.

In a release on Wednesday, police said Winnipeggers reporting a non-domestic assault or robbery that is not in progress should still call their non-emergency line at 204-986-6222.

If the report is suitable for VPR, an officer will then be in contact through the system, police say.

0:40 Winnipeg police testing new technology to virtually report break-ins

Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:

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